Xavier and Brandon, who are the younger brothers of Swans premiership players Ted and Kieren, respectively, were selected in this morning’s AFL Rookie Draft and will train, and potentially play, alongside their older siblings in 2013.
While it is easy to see the similarities in appearance between the brothers, both Xavier and Brandon stress that they are very different players.
Xavier, who played his football at the Sandringham Dragons in 2012, told sydneyswans.com.au that he has spent time at both ends of the ground and even in the ruck.
“This year at the Dragons I would start the game at full-back, then go full-forward for a quarter and kick a few goals, and then go in the ruck,” he said.
“I was going from end to end, but personally, I think I’m a half-back.”
Watch the video above to get the reaction of Swans List and Recruiting Strategy Manager Kinnear Beatson on today's Pre-Season and Rookie Drafts
As for the younger Jack, Brandon describes himself as more of an outside speedster than a midfielder like Kieren.
“I’m a bit different to Kieren, and I’m a more outside running-type player,” Brandon said.
“I would say I’m kind of similar to that Lewis Jetta-type role.”
Not only will the pair be spending more time with their older brothers at the club this year, but both have their sights set on occupying the spare room at their brother’s home.
Xavier, who recently made the move up from Melbourne, said he was already enjoying the Sydney beachside life in Tamarama.
“The last two weeks have been great because I’ve kind of adjusted to Sydney and I haven’t felt homesick,” he said. “I know I’ve got Ted up here.”
“We’re living in Tamarama and it’s such a good location and a ten minute drive to training and then I can go to the beach in the afternoon.”
Despite being close to Ted off-field, Xavier acknowledged that he wouldn’t receive any special treatment from his older brother at the club.
“I’m very close with my brother, but when we’re at the club I see him as a team mate,” he said.
“I don’t think I have any special relationship with him that I wouldn’t have with another team mate.
“He lets me know when I have to do something properly, like cleaning up at home when I’ve left my stuff on the table, but he’s also going to be a great mentor for me.”
Brandon, who has been living with Kieren for the last two weeks while attending pre-season training with the club, said he was also excited to be alongside his brother at the top level.
“I’ve always wanted to play professional sport and this is a massive step in the right direction,” he said.
“I’ve always wanted to play sport with my brother and it’s just great that we can do it at this level now.”
While the good news story of the two brothers’ arrival at the club has pleased many fans, Swans List and Recruiting Strategy Manager Kinnear Beatson stressed that the boys were taken on their ability rather than their family connections.
“Yes, it is good to have them here because of their brothers, but I do want to stress that that wasn’t the sole reason in why we recruited them and they fitted some specific needs that we needed to address in our list management,” Beatson said.
“Brandon’s form for New South Wales and the Academy has been okay-to-solid, but what he does have is some genuine leg speed.
“While we’ve got Brandon in our backyard and he’s got lots to learn, we thought it was a good opportunity to promote him onto our rookie list and secure him, and then develop the leg speed that he’s got.
“With Xavier, we were looking for a key position player and he was keen to come up here and have a run.
“He’s got work to do, as all rookies and draftees do , but all the boys we’ve taken we believe have good heads on their shoulders, they’re intelligent young kids, they’re fit, and we’re confident that they’ll apply themselves really well.”
Shortly after Tuesday's rookie draft, Ted Richards said how excited he was at the prospect alongside his younger brother.
"I'm so excited that one, Xavier's got an opportunity and two, we're going to be at the same club together," he said.
"He's worked really hard and I've seen the sacrifices that he's made, so it's great to see him get this opportunity.
"I'm rapt for him and rapt he's found his way to the Swans."
